From Esther Akaa, Lafia
Youths in Nasarawa State have been charged to tolerate one another, irrespective of their cultural and religious differences for peace to reign in the state, especially as they celebrate the 2022 International Youth Day.
The state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Lucky Isaac-Yargwa made the call on Friday, in a statement issued and signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the state Ministry for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Eche Amos and made available to journalists in Lafia.
Isaac-Yargwa also called on the youths to take advantage of the numerous youth-related opportunities provided by the present administration under Governor Abdullahi Sule to became self reliant for the growth and development of the state.
“The annual event which is set aside by the United Nations focuses on the difficulties that young people experience throughout the globe and how to draw awareness to the challenges, in order to seek solutions to them.
“The day offers the opportunity for government at all levels, Civil Society Organisations, Religious and Traditional Institutions and other Human Rights Organisations to amplify the message that action, indeed, is needed across all generations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, and leave no one behind.
“The day also highlights the importance of youth and various cultural and legal issues related with them.
“The Ministry and Nasarawa State Government will continue to raise awareness on barriers to youth growth and development, with special focus on the theme for this year’s celebration and ageism, which seems to impact young and old persons, while having negative impacts on the society as a whole,” the commissioner said.
Isaac-Yargwa, who congratulated the youths in the state as they join their counterparts around the world to commemorate the day, described them as disciplined, energetic, innovative, hopeful, fearless, smart, competitive, determined, making the impossible possible, despite obvious hindrances.
He emphasised that the energy and talent of youths of the state were unmatched, expressing hope that with their efforts and numerical advantage, they will take the state to greater heights.
The commissioner urged the celebrants to see the day as a reminder that they were competent, strong, and motivated to do things they want, even as he encouraged them not to surrender to situations and stay off any form of violence or acts capable of jeopardising their future and the society at large.
He, therefore, reassured that the Governor Sule led administration would continue to initiate programmes and policies that would enable youths of the state reach their goals.
The Voice reports that the theme for this year’s International Youth Day celebration is “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for all Ages.”
